October 2011

 

10/26/2011: SMPA Partners with iCAST to Launch Energy Efficiency Program - SMPA and iCAST have created the San Miguel Power Partners Program to help bring energy efficiency solutions to its entire territory. Response to the program has been overwhelming and is already booked through December, so the public launch date has been scheduled for January of 2012.

San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) and the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (iCAST) announce the official launch of their region-wide energy efficiency program - San Miguel Power Partners. The program aims to simplify the process of making energy efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses. The turn-key program offers simple, cash flow-positive solutions to businesses and residences in SMPA's service territory, generating dollar savings from day one while reducing energy consumption.

Designed as an all-encompassing approach to energy efficiency, San Miguel Power Partners helps members with every step of the improvement process. Interested parties can schedule an energy assessment that will include a comprehensive report on suggested improvements in order to make the property more efficient. Once the resident decides what measures to implement, iCAST recruits sub-contractors to do the work and oversees and performs quality checks during and after all work has been completed. The program also provides rebates, incentives, and low-interest financial loan and savings packages to help members see savings from day one and watch those savings grow as energy prices rise. 

SMPA, the rural electric cooperative for the region, is the main sponsor of this program.

"The San Miguel Power Partners program takes the stress out of making energy efficiency improvements. iCAST does the research, projects payback periods, get quotes from contractors, and even makes sure all the rebate paperwork is filled out correctly," said Kevin Ritter, General Manager for SMPA. "The easier we can make it for our members to conserve and become more efficient, the better."

San Miguel Power Partners has a growing list of partners that currently includes Source Gas and the Telluride Foundation. Together with SMPA, these organizations are focusing on energy efficiency improvements that increase the value of a home or business, as well as, health and safety measures and renewable energy solutions that positively impact the environment.

San Miguel Power Partners Program is being managed by iCAST, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering people through a triple bottom-line approach of  social, environmental, and economical means.

"In keeping with its nonprofit mission, iCAST brings a unique and innovative approach to the San Miguel Power Partners program," said Ravi Malhotra, Founder and President of iCAST. "We not only help SMPA members access immediate savings on their energy costs, but also bring health, safety and comfort benefits while creating new local green jobs to the local economy and increasing economic development for the community."

San Miguel Power Partners officially launched this week and is currently conducting energy assessments for multiple businesses and residents. After preliminary meetings with community members, requests for energy reviews and projects have been overwhelming, resulting in a solidly booked schedule for the coming months. Therefore, the official public launch for the program has been set for January of 2012.

For more information on the program, please visit www.smpa.com/EE/SanMiguelPowerPartners.cfm. If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list for an energy assessment or would like to be notified of exclusive program launch announcements and events, please contact us at smpp@icastusa.org or 1-866-590-4377.

San Miguel Power has a similar turn-key program specifically designed for low-income members. SMPA's Low Income Weatherization program provides free weatherization services to eligible homeowners and renters in the co-op's service territory. This program is provided in partnership with the Governor's Energy Office. For more information about the Low Income Weatherization program visit www.smpa.com/EE/LowIncomeWeatherization.cfm.

iCAST (International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology)
iCAST (International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that focuses on empowering people through social, environmental, and economical means. They help communities use local resources for their benefit through projects that build capacity through sustainable methods, helping to bring energy improvements and help lower energy costs and increase comfort levels. Their work promotes economic viability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility in under-served communities.

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10/11/2011: SMPA Holds Holiday Card Coloring Contest for Local 5th Grade Students - San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) is asking local fifth grade students to demonstrate how electricity makes their holidays bright for their first annual Holiday Card Coloring Contest. The contest is open to all fifth grade students who attend public, private, or home school within SMPA’s service territory.

This year's contest is asking children to illustrate how electricity makes their holiday bright. To help kids understand that theme, SMPA suggests that teachers and parents ask children what traditions they might have around the holidays and if they have special memories of past holidays.

"We want kids to understand that electricity plays a role in almost everything that we do, so the possibilities for drawings are really endless," said SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter.

Contest submissions are due Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Children can pick up an official contest entry form at one of SMPA’s offices in Nucla or Ridgway. The form is also available online at http://www.smpa.com/Youth/HolidayCardContest.cfm. All entries must be submitted on the official contest entry from.

SMPA will award prizes to the top three entries. First place will receive a $50 bill, and their artwork will be featured on SMPA’s Holiday E-Card. Second place will receive $35, and third place will receive $20. All entries will be featured on SMPA’s website www.smpa.com and the co-op's Facebook page.

"This is the first year for our Holiday Card Coloring Contest and we hope that it provides another opportunity for parents and teachers to teach children about the importance of electricity. Have a discussion about where electricity comes from and what uses electricity. Ask the children to identify what they do during the holidays that requires electricity and ways they can celebrate more efficiently," recommended Ritter.

Entry forms can be mailed to the following address.

San Miguel Power Holiday Card Contest
Attn: Becky Mashburn
P.O. Box 1150
Ridgway, CO 81432

Entry forms can also be dropped off at either SMPA office in Nucla or Ridgway.